Continuing its phenomenal ratings growth, after securing the best year in the network's history in 2010, A&E enjoyed its best quarter ever among key demographics behind the strength of the network's expansive slate of original series in the first quarter of 2011. Year to-date, A&E currently ranks as the number four entertainment cable network in the key adults 25-54 demographic and tied for number four in total viewers.

The network was up in both adults 18-49 (777,000 vs. 756,000) and adults 25-54 (807,000 vs. 805,000), edging out the previously record-setting first quarter 2010 as the best in network history. The network had an astonishing seven original series averaging 1.1 million viewers or more in both adults 18-49 and 25-54, including "Storage Wars," "The First 48," "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Intervention," "Beyond Scared Straight," "Hoarders" and the new original scripted drama series "Breakout Kings." 

The original series success has driven A&E median age down two years (46), recording the youngest first quarter for the network since 2008.

March 2011 also went on record as the most watched March in network history among adults 25-54 and 18-49. The network was up 5% in adults 25-54 (750,000 vs. 716,000), 4% in adults 18-49 (713,000 vs. 683,000) and 1% in total viewers (1,482,000 vs. 1,467,000) versus March 2010.